Using social media skills for earning extra money

The social media bubble is growing and everyone knows how to use Google+, Facebook, and Twitter. Of late, I realized that a lot of organizations and businesses know that they can make money by having online communities but a lot of them either don’t grow one or don’t have time for it.
I am blogging about some tips for making money through social media skills.

1. Your skills should have a price tag – The big problem I often notice is that a lot of people do have all the necessary skills but don’t get paid for it. This is primarily because they don’t put a price tag on themselves. If you know all about social media and know how to use it strategically, then you should work around it. There are chances that people will pay you for it.
2. Work for free but just once – You will have to prove how good you are at growing the online communities both to your potential clients and to yourself. I will recommend you to find some cash strapped tiny business or any non-profit organization and then offer to do the work for free. This will go on your resume and will also build your knowledge and self-confidence. You will end up growing your network too and there will be clients who will recommend you.
   
3. Landing your first paid client – You might find it hard to work for free but it is ideal to start like this because you get a lot of experience. Also, you will get more clients through your existing one. So how to sign that first client? For me, it happened through my existing friends and contacts. You can tap your networks through Twitter, LinkedIn, Facebook and your own blog. Also, don’t hesitate to tell your friends, they will help you spread the word and you might get to a gold mine through this.
4. Decide what are your services – Your offerings shouldn’t just say ‘do social media work’. Are you going to teach people how to use Facebook and Twitter? Will you make blog strategies for the companies to implement? You might even grow online communities for the clients. You should also consider the type of clients that you wish to work for – organizations, businesses, individuals, or all. If a new acquaintance asks you about what you do, then you should be able to explain everything in simple terms and you should use examples too.
5. How much are you going to charge? – Social media consulting prices can start from free and go up to several hundred dollars per hour. Irrespective of your price tag, there will be people who will either think that you are dirt cheap or that you are too expensive. It is essential to find a sweet spot between the experience and skills.

Your charges can change from one client to the other. If one client can afford to pay you more then you can charge more money per hour or per project. Some times a client can lose interest in you once you reveal your price. If you are worried about this, then you can offer that client several tiers of services having different price tags.